Tips to Prevent Burglary

The Firestone Police Department wants to help reduce your chance of having a burglary to your home or vehicle. The most important thing you can do it call the police to report a crime or any suspicious activity. You are the eyes of your neighborhood and a large part of our community policing efforts.

Home Burglaries

Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed.
Keep your garage door closed and locked.
Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
Don't share your vacation plans on social media.

Don't Tempt a Thief

Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
Use curtains on garage and basement windows.

Targeting the Outside

Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Alarms

An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation.
If you have a home alarm system, use it! Activate your alarm system — alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.

If Your Home Is Broken Into

If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
Use a neighbor's phone to call police.
Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:

Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Mark your valuables with your driver's license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
Consider installing a burglar alarm system.

Car Burglaries

Tips on how to avoid car break-ins:

Do not leave valuables in plain view: (GPS devices, lap tops, PDA’s, cell phones, MP3’s, wallets, purses)
Do not leave windows or sunroof open.
Do not leave doors unlocked.
Do not leave keys in the vehicle.
Do not leave the garage door opener in plain view.
Do not leave out items with personal information.
Do not move valuable items to the trunk while in public view.